Hezbollah's deputy secretary general Sheikh Naim Qassem announces plans to appoint a new leader following the death of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike. Learn more about Qassem's background and his role in Hezbollah.
BEIRUT (Multibagger) - Hezbollah's deputy secretary general Sheikh Naim Qassem revealed that the group will select a new leader soon to succeed Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, affirming that the Iran-backed organization will persist in its fight against Israel.
Qassem's recent 19-minute televised speech, the first by a senior Hezbollah figure since Nasrallah's demise on Friday due to an Israeli airstrike, comes at a critical time for the group as it faces heightened Israeli attacks.
Who is Sheikh Naim Qassem?
Here are some key facts about Qassem:
- Qassem has been a prominent figure in Hezbollah, serving as deputy secretary general since 1991.
- He assumed the role of deputy secretary general under Hezbollah's previous leader, Abbas al-Musawi, who was killed in a 1992 Israeli helicopter assault, and retained the position when Nasrallah took over.
- His political involvement traces back to the Lebanese Shi'ite Amal Movement in 1974, before joining Hezbollah following Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979.
- Qassem has been a key spokesperson for Hezbollah, engaging in numerous interviews with international media outlets. During the Gaza conflict, he stated to Al Jazeera in June that Hezbollah's stance was to avoid escalating the war unless forced to do so.
- He has overseen Hezbollah's parliamentary election campaigns since the group's inception in 1992.
- Qassem was born in 1953 in Beirut and his family roots are in Kfar Fila, a predominantly Shi'ite area in Lebanon's south. He is married and has six children.
This update was reported by Maya Gebeily and edited by Michael Georgy, Tom Perry, and William Maclean.
Analysis:
Hezbollah's decision to appoint a new leader in the wake of Nasrallah's death signifies a significant shift in the organization's leadership. Sheikh Naim Qassem, a seasoned figure within Hezbollah, is poised to take on a more prominent role in guiding the group's future direction. This development could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict with Israel and regional stability. Individuals with investments or interests in the Middle East should closely monitor these developments, as they could impact geopolitical dynamics and financial markets.